Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in an old man’s hat;
If you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.
Just about all of us have sung that and this year it is unclear whether we will be doing so with the same zest as in previous years.
Christmas And COVID-19
Two unlikely partners that almost all of us never imagined would be together. It is like that odd couple, that mismatched partnership down the road. Those were the people you never imagined coming together, not even in 100 years.
Well, here we are, just over 100 years since the last global pandemic, The Spanish Flu, and a marriage is about to commence. Christmas and COVID-19 Pandemic!
There is little point now continuing the debate how did this happen. Even further less point casting blame. We are long past that. The challenge at hand is how do we get to the other side, how do we at least minimally enjoy “the wedding buffet” in isolation?
Ideas For Christmas 2020
Public Health officials all around the world are strongly advising us to keep our distance – even from our most cherished ones. If you do not constantly live in the same household, then stay home!
What kind of holidays will that be? Christmas is the time that we come together, not stay apart. It is much like Thanksgiving when people travel hundreds, even thousands of miles to be with their loved ones.
Whatever are we going to do?
Scoured the Internet and found many suggestions, as well as do’s and don’ts for this holiday. Here are a few.
Gifts are a big part of this holiday, so here is a suggestion when it comes to that from Greta Bauer, an epidemiology professor at Western University in London, Ontario.
- “With Christmas presents, a lot of people buy and wrap their presents in advance so that would mean that for the gifts that are contained in that package, there is functionally no risk of transmission if it was wrapped a week or more in advance of being delivered. Bauer added that this is ‘good incentive’ for holiday shoppers to stay organized this year so they can buy presents early and immediately wrap them.” CTV News
Take It Outdoors
Recently, one of our Directors, Clara Brown, posted on her Facebook timeline that she is doing her decorations outside this year. I jokingly commented, “Outside keeping this year?!” That is exactly where it is at this Christmas – outside – even if it’s just your immediate family members in attendance. Read an article about planning for the holiday celebrations this year. Although the specific reference was about those of us living in cold countries, it goes for everyone everywhere.
- “While last year’s to-do list was all about decorating the front yard, this year’s Christmas to-do list is about winterizing the backyard. If you’re planning to host outdoors, investing in the right equipment will go a long way to keep your friend and family comfortable. Keep warm with an outdoor tent, wearable blankets, hot hands, a fire pit, and outdoor heaters. Place blankets on each seat for guests, set up string lights or set out pillar candles to add a dose of hygge.” Paperless Post
What About Christmas Office Parties?
The highlight and the reward the most employees live for – the annual Christmas parties. But wait, they are cancelled due to COVID-19?
No, not all and not necessarily. Here is what Ian Westbrook of the BBC News suggests:
- “This year’s work celebrations seem certain to take place on Zoom and other online platforms. Rules on big groups meeting up in pubs or anywhere outdoors are very unlikely to be eased in December, so seeing friends for a pre-Christmas drink or meal will probably not be allowed.” BBC News
The Pandemic That Stole Christmas
Actually, it does not have to be that way. Christmas does not have to be cancelled. Just scaled-down, more intimate and, most likely, less expensive!
According to Deloitte Canada’s annual holiday retail spending survey, which polled 1,000 Canadians in September, respondents said they expected to spend an average of $1,405 during the holidays — down 18 per cent from the previous year. CBC News
Take heart and let us keep positive that things will start turning around by summer 2021. The bright side is that we all might have a bit more cash to take the trips that we have not been able to since March 2020.
Read this article and plan more ways to have a good if not great, based on our usual standards, holidays! None of them includes using Zoom.
You can stay in touch with us through our social media profiles. We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We too will be hosting a couple of Live Events via Zoom. Maybe you want to join us or watch the recording.
Peace and Love,
Envy Not!
This year, 2020, 
Christmas 2006 was a different story. My words then rivalled Elvis’ or any other crooner’s most sorrow-filled Christmas song. However, with the turning of time, things changed. Often heard it said that the “only constant in life – changes” and that is a most correct observation.
Approaching Christmas 2007 and now approaching Christmas 2020, I look to my writings to find those healing and joy-filled points in my life. Then and now, my rainbow moments come from small things, small happenings even amidst grief and the hurt around the world with COVID-19. Even with the waves of grief that washes over me for a life ended and another changed by one bullet.
I am alive, I am well and all is well! Thanks be to Source! That is how I turned my blue into rainbows. By keeping my eyes as much and as often as possible on the Source of all things in my life.
Along with that, sharing another in our three-part series of personal reflections on 2020. On November 22, Claudette shared on our social media profiles what was brought into sharp focus for her. More on that below. 👇
DOS Shop
Other Activities
Today is observed as the day to bring awareness to this issue of violence against women. Days such as this one requires attention for more than 24-hours. The drum needs to keep beating all year until the problem is eliminated.
Based in Canada (Edmonton, Alberta), we are currently targeting Jamaica with our support and services. So, let us take a peek at the situation there. It was challenging to find information in one place but the following gives a good summary.
It Is A Problem For Both Genders
As a survivor and “
You are answerable to get it done or keep your word. The same is true in reverse. They are accountable to you.
Ever so often, in fact, just about every person who has submitted such a form either has not read it properly or chose to ignore the criteria. Further, in conversation with them, usually, by email, such an individual is told that we expect them to be accountable.
Often people avoid holding others in check, including their intimate partners, children and of course friends and other family members. They avoid doing so mainly to avoid confrontation, to be liked and/or they just do not know how to do so.
Follow Up Regularly – One of our clients checks in with us every two weeks. She sends us a video of her progress. We really appreciate that she is faithful to that schedule. To build accountability you need to establish a schedule and routine to follow up on a regular basis. Frankly, when someone fails to follow up with you, that is a sign that they are not being responsible and accountable to the task or behaviour they agreed to take on. That is true as well with your mate.
Sidebar
Personally, for almost two decades now, my tradition has been to create a Vision Board, whether on paper or electronically, with images reflecting my desires for the upcoming twelve months. When diligent about it, my experience has been that the new year usually holds little surprises for me. Whatever plot twists occur, I am usually mentally and spiritually prepared to meet them.
Do share with us your thoughts on what Gloria had to say, as well as how the year has been for you. Comment below or you can like, follow, and interact with us on our social media profiles. We are on 
A friend of mine is embarking on a new path in her life. She bought a new home and is decorating it with new furnishings, including wall hangings that depict her new path or journey. Even having lived in a fully functional and furnished home before, she made a conscious and deliberate decision to start new and afresh.
time to dwell in the space where love is not beyond our reach, kindness is in our every step and peace is on our grasp.
Lesson (Again) From The US Election
It is hard to believe much of anything coming from pundits these days. Back in 2015 – 2016, they told us that there was very little chance that Donald Trump could become the President of the United States. Some said that it would be a close race but Hillary Clinton would be the first female President of that country. Others said that the newcomer to politics would win by a landslide. And, a great number said that Hillary would be the one to have that landslide win. They were all wrong in one way, shape or form.
The Steps
When you fall, whatever you were carrying – every dream, every hope scatter. When you are down but not out, you Re-group. That includes allowing what “fell” to stay on the ground. You might even need to kick them even further away from you. Those “things” will include some of the ideas you held, people who scattered as you fell and possessions that the bailiff took. Let them go. As you reflect and re-frame, new ideas, new tools and new methods will come into focus. Trust the inspiration coming to you. Follow the guidance.
No one would argue that that is not sound advice. We have written about the importance of minding one’s own business a few times, both here and on our 
Personally, in my later life, I have become an almost strict adherent of being in my own lane. It is also a way of keeping the boundaries up to those who you do not want to cross over into yours.
Absolutely. However, you have to know when it the appropriate or right time to do so. In my case, as an example, I try my best not to offer unsolicited advice out of fear and full awareness of people’s right to their own choices.
